Style

Punch’s Picks: A Playful Spring

I’ll Eat You Last ON BROADWAY

I once had the honor of having dinner with Sue Mengers. We were guests of hosts Jeff Klein and John Goldwyn at a small dinner party. She sat at the head of the table and kept everyone entertained. She was funny, candid, acerbic, and tough. My friend Lauren and I have been obsessed with her for years, and she was everything I hoped she would be. The things she blurted out almost made me choke on my food. No such thing as a taboo topic with Sue, apparently. In an attempt to find something in common with her, I let her know that I was the sister of one of her former clients. She got really close to my face and just stared at me for a long time. She then caressed my cheek over and over. I felt proud that she seemed to be accepting of me. Until she growled, “He never listened to a word I said. What a huge pain in my ass he was.” And that’s how it went. She was one-of-a-kind. Go see the one-woman play starring Bette Midler, which opens at the Booth Theater on Broadway, on April 24. (illeatyoulast.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown.

Valerie Confections

This mix is so good, you can’t stop eating it. It is addictive. I keep it at work, and people stop in my office to see if they can snack on some. It’s salty and sweet, and it has pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate and granola. I’ve re-ordered it twice and given bags to one quarter of the V.F. staff. We are all converts. ($20 per bag; valerieconfections.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Confections.

MARIMEKKO

There was a Marimekko craze that took over my Southern California beach town in the late 70s. It’s an old favorite, and it reminds me of my childhood. We had Marimekko sheets, plates, cups, and cutlery. Marimekko was embraced on the East Coast too—my husband had Marimekko wallpaper with bright trucks on it. The “new” Marimekko has updated its patterns, modernized some prints, and expanded its line. There is everything from clothing and accessories to housewares and wallpaper. (marimekko.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Marimekko.

EDIE PARKER EVENING BAGS

Brett Heyman’s Edie Parker clutches have a chic cult following. The bags are gorgeous, and they add a little bling to your outfit. If my grandmother, a real fashion plate, were alive to see these bags, she would say, “Pretty sputzzy!” An extra bonus is that inside each clutch, there is a built-in mirror. You can sneak peeks throughout the evening to check lip-gloss status or smudged-mascara issues. Any time I carry an Edie Parker bag, two things happen: First, I get a ton of compliments. And second, someone inevitably asks, “Oh! Do you know Brett?” She has friends and fans across the country. (edieparker.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Edie Parker.

KATIN SWIM TRUNKS

Love these—I first saw them in a boutique, Stag, in Austin, Texas, which sells really cool stuff. But you can find Katin in surf shops, too. (katinsurf.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Katin.

GOVINO WINE GLASSES

Perfect for the beach or pool parties or any setting where dogs or kids might knock over your cocktail. They’re plastic, but they don’t look budget. They’re also a perfect hostess gift. (govinowine.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Govino.

OAKLEY SUNGLASSES

Oakley frog skins look good and they’re fun. Some are neon (bringing back the 80s), some are monochromatic, and others have cool lenses with clear frames. They look fab on almost every face shape. (oakley.com)

Photo: Courtesy of Oakley.

I’ll Eat You Last ON BROADWAY

I once had the honor of having dinner with Sue Mengers. We were guests of hosts Jeff Klein and John Goldwyn at a small dinner party. She sat at the head of the table and kept everyone entertained. She was funny, candid, acerbic, and tough. My friend Lauren and I have been obsessed with her for years, and she was everything I hoped she would be. The things she blurted out almost made me choke on my food. No such thing as a taboo topic with Sue, apparently. In an attempt to find something in common with her, I let her know that I was the sister of one of her former clients. She got really close to my face and just stared at me for a long time. She then caressed my cheek over and over. I felt proud that she seemed to be accepting of me. Until she growled, “He never listened to a word I said. What a huge pain in my ass he was.” And that’s how it went. She was one-of-a-kind. Go see the one-woman play starring Bette Midler, which opens at the Booth Theater on Broadway, on April 24. (illeatyoulast.com)

Courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown.

Valerie Confections

This mix is so good, you can’t stop eating it. It is addictive. I keep it at work, and people stop in my office to see if they can snack on some. It’s salty and sweet, and it has pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate and granola. I’ve re-ordered it twice and given bags to one quarter of the V.F. staff. We are all converts. ($20 per bag; valerieconfections.com)

Courtesy of Valerie Confections.

MARIMEKKO

There was a Marimekko craze that took over my Southern California beach town in the late 70s. It’s an old favorite, and it reminds me of my childhood. We had Marimekko sheets, plates, cups, and cutlery. Marimekko was embraced on the East Coast too—my husband had Marimekko wallpaper with bright trucks on it. The “new” Marimekko has updated its patterns, modernized some prints, and expanded its line. There is everything from clothing and accessories to housewares and wallpaper. (marimekko.com)

Courtesy of Marimekko.

EDIE PARKER EVENING BAGS

Brett Heyman’s Edie Parker clutches have a chic cult following. The bags are gorgeous, and they add a little bling to your outfit. If my grandmother, a real fashion plate, were alive to see these bags, she would say, “Pretty sputzzy!” An extra bonus is that inside each clutch, there is a built-in mirror. You can sneak peeks throughout the evening to check lip-gloss status or smudged-mascara issues. Any time I carry an Edie Parker bag, two things happen: First, I get a ton of compliments. And second, someone inevitably asks, “Oh! Do you know Brett?” She has friends and fans across the country. (edieparker.com)

Courtesy of Edie Parker.

KATIN SWIM TRUNKS

Love these—I first saw them in a boutique, Stag, in Austin, Texas, which sells really cool stuff. But you can find Katin in surf shops, too. (katinsurf.com)

Courtesy of Katin.

GOVINO WINE GLASSES

Perfect for the beach or pool parties or any setting where dogs or kids might knock over your cocktail. They’re plastic, but they don’t look budget. They’re also a perfect hostess gift. (govinowine.com)

Courtesy of Govino.

OAKLEY SUNGLASSES

Oakley frog skins look good and they’re fun. Some are neon (bringing back the 80s), some are monochromatic, and others have cool lenses with clear frames. They look fab on almost every face shape. (oakley.com)